Cornish Flat Top I

There is nothing quite like photographing in moonlight, but there is something better, photographing moolight in mist.

 

After shooting the Tall Ships Race in Falmouth last weekend I headed into Lands End, god knows why any more as I have far too many shots of the area. Zero luck on the coast, but some lovely hues none the less, so I headed inland a little.

 

This is Lanyon Quiot, a fall out of the car and press the shutter location. As the warmth of the day was cooling, this wonderful tide of mist began rolling down the hills. By 11pm it was utterly beautiful, the camera picking up all manner of hues in the sky I was unable to see, as well as stars and soft tones...what a night. I managed another three really interesting variations which I will post later on.

 

With the moon lighting one side I used an el-cheapo wind up pocket torch to light the side you are looking at. With a rather fast sweep of the beam it gives just enough lighting to the side you are looking at.

Many thanks for looking, many more in the portfolio.

Superb results, After reading your comment I have realized that we are watching here something very special,it is a very good work doing it with moon light , congratulations,

Nice image and atmosphere here.

good. mist with (I persume) first light give special ambience feeling. I like it. Cheers, VS

No first light at 11pm, its moonlight.

I have read your entry text after I put my comment. In any case I like it, cheers, VS

In basque language, this is a "trikuharri". This is one of the most beautiful I've seen, and very well captured. Congrats, David. 7/6

Excelente luz!

Love this one. Great use of the light painting, wonderful detail and sharpness. I usually prefer b/w for stone, but this is perfect in color. Any idea how old this is?

Beautiful image. What most I like is the light. Regards.

This is really great! Wonderful colors, details, composition etc. Everything is perfect for me!

Really appreciate your details on the how you created this Gem and what you where thinking at the time. It really is a stunning capture! Thanks again

Amazing! Very cool photograph; and thanks for the detailed description about the making of this. I have a feeling that this might be fabulous in black and white too. Oh, and did I say that this is just "Amazing"? And straight into my 'Faves' it goes! Cheers! Chris

Outstanding capture, the lighting is quoit appropriate for a mystical landmark.

This is going straight into my favourites.7/7

Incredible image. The light is wonderfully captured, however you got it. Beautiful tones and composition. Pure pleasure to view.

Firstly, fantastic and original shot, with superlative conditions.

 

Secondly- This may sound wierd, and it's purely personal reaction - but it kinda feels too exposed - at first I looked at it and assumed, as a few others, that it was a sunrise shot. Looking closer, after your description, I noticed the stars. Plus the stone-lighting and shadows bottom left did look unusual. For me though, I feel that the image should convey the sense of time a little stronger on first viewing - that the first reaction should be the appreciation of the hour that this was shot at, without having to be told. On closer inspection, it becomes obvious, but it can still look like a sunrise and I imagine would to most people who take a first look at it. A cooler tone, or slightly darker feel, I don't know - just perhaps something that shouts 'night', rather than purely the stars and accompanying text

 

Told you it was wierd :-p

 

You mentioned other versions - any with a little shift to the right? The stone which is cut-off by the frame keeps pulling me over there, and feels a little incomplete.

 

Anyhow - apologies for bizarre opinions, all things considered this is still a wicked shot, and certainly one of the most original ones I've seen in ages - you seem to be developing a deft hand at night-photography!

 

Regards (and looking forward to other set-ups!)

 

James

Thanks for the in depth analysis James, I have taken on board everything you have written.

 

Sometimes I have to let it all go and just leave it to emotional response rather than analysis. Its an almost impossible set of circumstances isnt it; moonlight shows no colours to the naked eye for starters, its a brain freeze. The mist, the stars the brightness, it doesnt look like that when you're there, the result is a total head scratcher and makes no sense, and its not supposed to I guess.

 

I often have to stand back from situations and ask "does it work? Yes? We'll that's all that matters". I am no wildeness photographer, no landscape purist, I like experimenting and proving points to myself thats all, dreaming up mad ideas whilst driving and seeing it they will work. Its often better that I just look at the end result without disection.

 

I love reading peoples reactions to moonlight shoots.

 

 

 

wow! special atmosphere! i like to much the mood at the horizon, and texture on stones. the grass had this green/yellow color like a comic book. Nice work of postprocessing. regards!

i take you with a 7/7 anonimous regards!!

Terrific image David, those moonlight colors and composition help a great deal to convey an enigmatic look at the place. Congratulations!

A very ethereal image David. Nothing quite like shooting in the moonlight. Just getting into that myself. Anyway, excellent image quite otherworldy. I shall have to explore the rest of your portfolio.

Nice work,

Neil

This is my first encounter with your photography. This image is wonderful and unworldly. I know it is really a challenge to capture a scene like this. Well I find a good story teller in you as well when I was reading your account. I will soon visit your whole portfolio. Thank you for sharing this pleasure. Warm regards.

An absolute stunner. Your last comment was interesting too and I agree. I daylight you can see the scene and represent what you've seen in post processing but when it's dark you haven't actually seen anything at all and everything from colour balance to contrast becomes very subjective. Fantastic result though.

 

John.

 

During a self-driving tour through the British countryside a few years ago, I found this area one of the most enchanting. Too bad I didn't have the luxury of visiting this place at such a magic hour! The lighting is really amazing. You may have too many images of Land's End, but I'm happy to have come across some of them!

--All the Best,

Nancy